Originally Posted by
kyushuman
Was looking at 5 nights in San Juan in late July, and prices for everything are off the charts ($400++ for Caribe, Condado Plaza, even higher for Marriott and Renaissance though I did get a BRG for a suite at the Renaissance La Concha for $350/night after taxes and fees). Might do 5th night free at one of the Hilton properties.
Here's my issue: While I am OK spending 200K HHonors points for 5 nights at the Hilton Caribe, the recent reviews are, truly, brutal. Same at Condado. Same at La Concha. Same at.... seemingly every hotel in Puerto Rico. Reconsidering the trip, when thinking about these hotels that were barely able to keep service levels high in pre Pandemic times-- now with likely low staffing and lots of customers. Blowing all of your points (or $1350 cash) on a subpar experience doesn't sound so great.
Should I just do the Caribe? Was there in Feb 2020 and loved the beach, pools, and location. Even pre Pandemic, it could take an hour to get a drink from the understaffed beach team. That said, we could just BYO and enjoy the ocean, right?
You sort of summed up my answer in your post - "hotels that were barely able to keep service levels high in pre Pandemic times". None of them has ever had overwhelming service in my experience. That said, the Caribe really disappointed several years ago and I had status (Gold or Diamond, depending on date) and won't ever go back there. The Marriott is nice enough, with hit-or-miss service and I've done okay at La Concha - with passable service at the pools and very good in the "seashell" restaurant.